Is It Okay to Put Chicken Bones in my Garbage Disposal?

By
Mitch Wright Plumbing, Heating & Air
|August 05, 2019

One of the best accessories to have in any kitchen is a garbage disposal. Whether you’ve had it for years, just got one, or plan on investing in a disposal, this essential tool will make disposing of food odds and ends a piece of cake (pun intended)! Now, if you are familiar with garbage disposals, there is one major item that should never be tossed down it — and that happens to be chicken bones (or dense meat bones of any sort). Here’s why:

Dull the Blades

Just like cutting with a dull knife, chicken bones can make the blades in your disposal become dull. This, of course, will make it much more difficult for you to be able to toss anything down this device. With the assistance of a professional, you can have the blades sharpened or replaced — but that will be another expense that you could save a few bucks on.

Snap the Blades

Another outcome of tossing the bones down the garbage disposal is that they can snap the blades. Believe it or not, since the bones are on the denser side, it’s almost as if you threw a rock from the garden into the drain and hoped for the best. However, when you toss certain vegetables or fruits down the disposal, it will be rather simple to have them shredded and broken up with no damage to the blades.

What Can I Toss Into my Garbage Disposal?

While bones are entirely out of the equation, there are quite a few kitchen scraps that you can toss into your garbage disposal and not have to worry about a negative outcome. Some of those items are, but are not limited to:

Thin scraps of meat

Citrus peels

Yogurt

Before you toss anything into the garbage disposal, it’s essential to do some research to see what’s a safe toss and what should avoid touching the device at all costs. The best bet? When in doubt, throw it out in a nearby garbage can.

Do You Want a Garbage Disposal Installed or Does Your Device Need Maintenance?

At Mitch Wright Plumbing, Heating & Air, we are here for all of your cooling, heating, and plumbing needs, which is why we happen to offer 24/7 emergency services. For more information on the services we provide, visit us on the web or give us a call at (662) 269-0851.